Composite countertops for a whole lot less than granite

Published 10:00 pm, Friday, July 22, 2005

A Richlite countertop offers a sharp contrast to a stainless steel sink. Richlite, which is manufactured in Washington, is one of several eco-friendly countertop materials on the market.

A Richlite countertop offers a sharp contrast to a stainless steel sink. Richlite, which is manufactured in Washington, is one of several eco-friendly countertop materials on the market.

Photo: Steve Shelton

Composite countertops for a whole lot less than granite

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From Eastside McMansions to teeny studio apartments in Belltown, granite counters are everywhere. But we're here to save you from the perception that it's granite or nothing.

Designers, builders and homeowners tell us it's definitely not the only countertop that counts. There's an ever-growing list of materials that can be as sturdy, but more colorful and interesting, and sometimes less expensive. And some are eco-friendly.

There are materials -- made from granite dust and epoxy -- that look like granite.

There are countertops formed from recycled paper that resemble Corian, that resin-based product known for easy maintenance and durability.

Another paper-based product appears to be stone -- until you put your hands on it. Composites are definitely warmer to the touch.

Plastic laminates, notable for a huge range of colors, now come in assorted textures and even finishes that resemble granite and other stone.

Serious cooks are discovering that stainless steel can provide a seamless counter with an integrated sink or two, making cleanup a snap.

Concrete is being cast as countertops and finished with interesting glazes.

It's even possible to buy butcher-block counters made of recycled pickle vats.

Clearly it's time to look beyond granite.

Lee Ann Murphy, executive editor of the trade journal "Kitchen & Bath Business," said alternatives to granite are gaining in popularity. "There are more options now, especially in quartz composites (faux granites). And there are matte finishes that are more popular."

Murphy said synthetic options are becoming more appealing to shoppers. "Composites come in lots of colors, and those colors are consistent. With natural materials -- granite or (other) stone -- it's hard to get color consistency, and unique granite colors are more costly."

She sees people mixing materials in their kitchens -- granite with tile, for example.

Karla and Charlie Holmes of Bainbridge Island used a mix of materials in their kitchen. Off-white, 12-by-12-inch tiles were placed with minimal grout lines for a long, clean countertop. Charlie hand-mitered all outside edges -- a custom finish that can be pricey.

Copper tiles were used for trim. The backsplash was created with 4-by-4-inch tiles with a fossil fern motif. "He did a really fine job," Karla said. "It took about a week, but most of that time was spent mitering the tiles."

Cynthia Clark, a partner in Savvy Cabinetry by Design in Seattle, said although many of her clients still use slab granite, some are using what she calls "quartz countertops," granite-like slabs usually made of granite dust and resin.

"It's the newest, greatest thing," Clark said. "It's impervious to stain, you don't have to seal it. It's similar to Corian. It's poreless, so germs sit right on top and can be wiped off."

While it's also heat-resistant, the use of a trivet is still recommend.

A customer might mix a faux granite countertop with a stainless steel or tile backsplash. The options are almost endless when you consider the myriad sizes and colors of tiles.

Murphy said both designers and consumers have access to a wide variety of materials. She said Home Depot now carries Silestone, a granite-like composite made in Spain. There are companies making glass slabs for countertops. "Urban dwellers might tend to be more open to innovative ideas like glass or concrete, but gorgeous kitchens can be found everywhere," she said.

When architect Don Mackay and his wife, Misty Todd, remodeled their 1935 Madrona neighborhood kitchen three years ago, they used stainless steel and a paper/resin-based product called Richlite, which is made in Washington. They put down a stainless steel strip with two integrated sinks, and surrounded it with black Richlite.

Mackay said the stainless steel area is easy to clean, while the black composite has "a certain amount of intrinsic warmth." It's also seamless. He said they've had no problems with this paper-based product. It's been sealed and gets a rubdown with mineral oil about once a year. Mackay said he's so pleased with the combination of materials that he'd use them again.

Patti Southard, business development manager for the center, said Richlite is 70 percent recycled paper, plus granite dust, cement and other ingredients. "It started as a tool- and die-making surface for Boeing."

The Center also offers PaperStone, another paper-based product made of recycled paper -- primarily used cardboard. Owner/inventor Joel Klippert joked that Budweiser boxes can wind up in his counters.

PaperStone is made with a water-based, formaldehyde-free resin. "This is a big deal," Klippert said, "because it's more difficult to make a water-based system than a petroleum-based system."

PaperStone comes in black, brown, mocha and straw yellow, but brick, evergreen and two shades of gray may be ready to debut later this year.

For Kenneth Peterson, a certified kitchen designer based in the Greenlake neighborhood, DuPont's Corian -- introduced in 1968 -- is still the principal manufactured countertop material. "It's an acrylic resin -- totally repairable," he said.

He favors mixing materials in kitchens. In the past year he's done three kitchens for clients who chose a plastic laminate accented with Corian or Avonite (a similar product).

"Total granite will date a kitchen. A mix of materials is better," Peterson said.